Full Name: Julia Fiona Roberts
Born: October 28, 1967
Birthplace: Smyrna, Georgia, USA
Occupation: Actress, Producer
Years Active: 1987–present
Early Life
Julia Roberts was born to Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, who were both actors and playwrights. Her parents ran a workshop for aspiring actors and writers in Atlanta, where she developed an early interest in acting. Julia has two siblings, Eric Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, both actors, and a half-sister, Nancy Motes. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she primarily lived with her mother.
After graduating from Campbell High School in Smyrna, she briefly attended Georgia State University before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career. In New York, she signed with a modeling agency and began taking acting lessons.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Julia Roberts made her film debut in “Satisfaction” (1988), followed by a significant supporting role in “Mystic Pizza” (1988), which garnered attention for her acting talent. Her breakthrough came with “Steel Magnolias” (1989), where she played Shelby, a young woman with diabetes. This performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and an Academy Award nomination.
Her career skyrocketed with the romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” (1990), where she played opposite Richard Gere. The film was a massive commercial success and cemented her status as a leading actress. Her portrayal of the vivacious prostitute Vivian Ward earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and an Oscar nomination.
Notable Films and Achievements
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Roberts starred in several box-office hits and critically acclaimed films, including:
- “Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991)
- “The Pelican Brief” (1993)
- “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997)
- “Notting Hill” (1999)
- “Runaway Bride” (1999)
- “Erin Brockovich” (2000) — Her portrayal of the real-life legal assistant Erin Brockovich won her an Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe.
- “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) and “Ocean’s Twelve” (2004)
- “Mona Lisa Smile” (2003)
- “Eat Pray Love” (2010)
Career Highlights
- Academy Award Winner for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich (2000).
- Highest-Paid Actress of the 1990s and early 2000s, at times earning up to $25 million per film.
- Starred in numerous successful romantic comedies, making her one of the most bankable actresses of her era.
- Received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in the TV film “The Normal Heart” (2014).
Personal Life
Julia Roberts married country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett in 1993, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1995. In 2002, she married cinematographer Danny Moder. They have three children: twins Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter, born in 2004, and a son, Henry Daniel, born in 2007.
She is known for her commitment to privacy and maintaining a grounded lifestyle despite her Hollywood fame.
Humanitarian Work
Roberts has been involved in numerous charitable causes, including supporting UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders. She narrated the 2014 documentary “Extraordinary Moms” and has promoted environmental causes, including raising awareness for Earth Biofuels.
Legacy
Julia Roberts is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actresses of her generation. Known for her radiant smile, natural charisma, and talent for both drama and comedy, Roberts has left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Her contributions to cinema were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
